Many valuable lessons were learnt from Grand Arcade, allowing us to achieve out aforementioned core aims. Reducing our carbon footprint at Grand Arcade has taken a lot of time and effort; we have learnt a lot and are proud of what we have achieved.

Technology played a key part in reducing our Carbon emissions. We replaced traditional air conditioning with a Mechanical Natural Ventilation system which monitors the ambient indoor and outdoor temperature, adjusting the angle of the vents to reach the optimum level. The MNV system is designed to allow natural ventilation by using prevailing winds as inlets or outlets; they incorporate fins and overhangs to create high and low wind pressure areas, channelling incoming air.

Thermal glazing was used in the roof space for natural light and to reduce the need for indoor artificial lighting. The glazing, which also impacts upon the temperature within the centre, has a film applied to the outside to ensure that the temperature does not get too high or low during the differing seasons.

Grand Arcade has a green roof, which is planted over a waterproofing membrane and is covered with vegetation and soil. Additional layers include a root barrier and drainage systems. The green roof which can retain up to 75% of rainwater reduces flooding and retains pollutants in the soil. It dramatically improves the roof’s insulation value and allows for a 26% reduction in summer cooling and a 26% reduction in winter heat losses. This initiative is expected to lengthen the roof’s lifespan by two or three times and provides a habitat for plants, insects, and animals that otherwise have limited natural space.

Under floor heating has been added to the upper part of the scheme (where we can’t recycle the heat from the retailers). Floor warming systems are more environmentally efficient because they deliver the same results as conventional heating but operate at much lower temperatures and utilise a thermal store. Thus minimises the running cost of the environment because it consumes less fuel. The average saving is around 20-25% but research shows saving high as 40% can be reached. In the summer the 'wet' under floor heating system also acts as a cooling system which recycles the naturally cooled water around the upper levels.

It is unfortunate that all the CO² was not offset during the construction process, to combat this we sought advice from the Carbon Trust and have invested in renewable energy and energy conservation programmes that will reduce existing carbon production with immediate effect.

Modus also used locally sourced / low embodied energy and recycled / sustainable materials, to construct the scheme.  . In addition facilities have been placed throughout the building to separate waste for recycling all help to minimise the carbon use of the Grand Arcade going forward. This work has been approved and certified by the Carbon Trust as being a carbon neutral scheme which is first in the UK and Europe.